Supporting Resilience and Innovation in Rural Mental Health Care

On this National Rural Health Day, SafeSide Prevention honors the resilience and dedication of rural communities, healthcare providers, and community leaders working to build supportive, connected, and respectful care environments.

Rural America covers 86% of the United States and is home to 19.7% of the country's population. It presents a beautiful yet challenging landscape requiring tailored and innovative healthcare and mental health support approaches.

However, it also offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact for health professionals passionate about individualized, relationship-centered care.

At SafeSide Prevention, we believe in the power of community and are committed to equipping rural healthcare providers with resources and training.

In partnership with the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence and funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, SafeSide has provided its evidence-based suicide prevention education to rural healthcare providers at no cost nationwide.

The program gives practical skills and compassionate tools to provide person-centered care to individuals in need, fostering a stronger safety net in rural areas.

As part of this work, resources for friends and family members have also been made available at no cost for those concerned about loved ones struggling with substance use and suicide. Learn more here.

And, in recognizing the need for accessible, community-driven solutions, we recently released a report on alternative crisis care models. Learn more here.

We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Rochester Medicine Recovery Center of Excellence and Health Resources and Services Administration to create an infrastructure that ensures every person, regardless of location, has access to the support they need.